LOS ANGELES — Sport and sport once more, somebody surprising decides to play March Insanity hero for Alabama basketball.
First, it was Mo Dioubate within the Spherical of 32. Then, it was Grant Nelson within the Candy 16. However Nelson’s time as hero needed to be short-lived. Foul hassle restricted his minutes within the Elite Eight. So another person needed to put on the cape.
Paging Nick Pringle and Jarin Stevenson.
Pringle, the senior ahead not identified for his capturing, scored double digits within the second half whereas grabbing rebound after rebound. Stevenson, the freshman who’s imagined to be a senior in highschool, made 5 triples.
Pringle battled, acquired robust baskets and hit some late free throws to push the Crimson Tide to the primary Last 4 in program historical past, all whereas Pringle was coping with a bruised heel. And Stevenson saved hitting huge photographs. Because of this, Alabama defeated Clemson 89-82 on Saturday at Crypto Enviornment. Pringle scored 13 factors within the second half whereas grabbing seven rebounds.
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Listed here are observations and takeaways from the sport between No. 4 seed Alabama (25-11) and No. 6 seed Clemson (24-12).
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First half something however a layup for Alabama basketball
The beginning was ugly on offense. No different approach to put it.
Alabama struggled to make photographs. Layups particularly proved troublesome. Irrespective of who it was, drives to the rim too usually proved fruitless. There have been loads of missed alternatives to attain some simpler buckets. Alabama began the sport 5-for-15 on layups within the first half.
With triples not falling a lot both early for the Crimson Tide, Clemson ultimately began to construct a lead. The Tigers went up by double digits about midway by the primary half. However even when photographs weren’t falling, Alabama saved battling. It fought for rebounds and made defensive stops.
These efforts made a distinction and did not let Clemson run away with it within the first half. As a result of ultimately, photographs began falling.
After making just one triple for the primary 13 or so minutes of the sport, Alabama drained 5 over the ultimate seven minutes earlier than the break. Jarin Stevenson and Mark Sears every made two a chunk. These efforts contributed to Alabama happening a 20-2 run late within the first half. Because of this, the Crimson Tide held a 35-32 lead at halftime.
Mark Sears shines in second half
Sears had marginal impression within the first half. He solely made one shot on seven tries.
Then the Sears who emerged from the locker room for the second half was a very completely different participant.
The senior guard was on hearth from deep within the second half. He drained triple after triple, usually answering Clemson 3-pointers with one in all his personal. Sears went 6-for-7 from deep within the second half.
Pringle and Stevenson additionally performed important roles down the stretch. Stevenson hit triples, with three within the second half and 5 complete. and Pringle battled.
What’s subsequent for Alabama basketball?
Alabama will advance to the Last 4 for the primary time in program historical past, and can play on Saturday towards No. 1 seed UConn at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Nick Kelly is the Alabama beat author for The Tuscaloosa Information, a part of the USA TODAY Community, and he covers Alabama soccer and males’s basketball. Attain him at nkelly@gannett.com or observe him @_NickKelly on X, the social media app previously often called Twitter.